“The Church in West Africa wants and must contribute to this mission. Certainly, peace comes from God, but it does not fall from heaven like a finished product or a clothing ready to be worn. Peace is rather like a basket – a beautiful basket which must be woven together, each person offering their own wire, “said the Catholic bishop of Ivorian origin.
Credit: ACI Africa
The ordinary local of the diocese of Agboville, in Côte d’Ivoire, added that the Catholic bishops of West Africa had chosen to “bring the single thread of the church to this common weaving”. The Church, let’s not forget, is an expert in humanity. This is how we will help our peoples get up and stand – because the natural posture of a people is to stand up ”.
“Africa must therefore get up, take its destiny in hand and trace its own way. Africans should not always sleep on the shoulders of others. To sleep on the shoulders of others is to live in dependence and, in the end, is to deny our very identity, “he said.
Credit: ACI Africa
-Bishop Touably continued: “The time has come – in fact, it is more than time – for us, Africans, to forge our own identity, to be really ourselves at the moment decisive in history”.
“We have to free ourselves from any inferiority complex compared to other peoples. Like them, we are human beings, and we must accept and assert our identity, “said Recowa president.
Credit: ACI Africa
We must refuse to be the last on earth, to be the eternal followers of others. We, archbishops and bishops of West Africa, can – and must – contribute to the emergence of a new Africa ”.
“Let’s not be afraid. Dare, ”said Mgr Touably at the opening ceremony of the Fifth Plenary Assembly of Recowa, organized from May 5 to 12 on the theme“ For a synodal and autonomous Church in the service of justice and peace in West Africa ”.
